A bumper turn-out and impeccable weather made Kent Kids Miles of Smiles Annual Easter Egg Hunt a day to remember on Good Friday.

The Kentish Gazette and kmfm for Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay’s charity of the year opened up the gardens of their Footprints Children’s care home to raise vital funds for a potential new home and enhanced facilities. Members of Canterbury fire station’s Blue Watch also paid a visit in the afternoon, giving children and their carers a chance to try out life as a firefighter and take a seat behind the wheel of a fire engine.

"It’s been absolutely tremendous, we’ve had well over 100 people along today with all ages from nought upwards having a go during the egg hunts," said fund-raising manager Liz Baxter.

The charity, which also houses the Redwalls adult care home on Stodmarsh Road, accepted donations from two recent fund-raisers.

Karen Brand from Canterbury High Street Jewellers Beaverbooks presented a cheque for £600 on behalf of the branch’s employees.

She said: "Beaverbrooks gives each staff member £100 to donate to a charity of their choice and we all agreed that Miles of Smiles was one we all felt passionately about.

"They make a huge difference to the local community and it’s just great to see the hard work that goes on here at Footprints."

Beaverbrooks, who have over 65 stores nationwide, are set to pledge around £79,000 to local charities this year as part of the initiative.

Also present to present a cheque were Woodnesborough father and son Richard and Matthew Laslett. Richard, 41 and Matthew, 14, successfully climbed Mount Kinibalu in Borneo back in February and have raised over £1,000 for the charity.

BLOB For more information about Kent Kids Miles of Smiles and future fund-raising events, visit their website www.miles-of-smiles.org.uk BLOB